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- Tasks: Lead exciting health projects and shape the future of the NHS through strategic sourcing.
- Company: Join a dynamic procurement team in a well-established healthcare organisation.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, health cash plan, life assurance, and flexible working options.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in healthcare while developing your skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement or contract management within the NHS or public sector is essential.
- Other info: Embrace diversity and enjoy excellent career growth opportunities in a flexible work culture.
The predicted salary is between 34000 - 46000 £ per year.
Can you see yourself joining an established procurement team as Category Manager, supporting several upcoming exciting health projects and helping to shape the future of the NHS? We are looking for a Category Manager to join our healthcare team. Our corporate Procurement services cover framework agreements, consultancy, and procurement functions, all delivered by skilled teams through efficient technology platforms. You will lead a delegated category portfolio to implement strategic sourcing and partner management, lower costs, deliver savings targets, and strengthen relationships with key suppliers. This position is predominantly home based, but you are expected to attend meetings at our Salford office once or twice per month or where business needs it.
What you will be doing:
- Providing a procurement support function for clients and handling tender activity appropriate to category through to contract award.
- Taking an active role in developing the annual work plan and implementing policy, supplying to short and long-term category strategies.
- Reviewing, negotiating, re‑negotiating and drafting contracts for cost optimisation and savings targets.
- Taking the lead across a complex high value project portfolio, building knowledge and expertise.
- Developing and improving key supplier relationships and exploring new business opportunities.
- Working with clients to develop constructive relationships with operational contract managers, providing support to ensure effective delivery of outcomes.
What you’ll bring:
- Experience of PCR 2015, EU/UK regulations and company policies, Provider Selection Regime, and the New Procurement Act 2023.
- Experience of working in procurement, commissioning, bid writing or contract management within the NHS/Healthcare/Public Sector.
- Knowledge and skill in procurement processes (scoping, briefing, tendering, selection, contract negotiation, including service level agreements).
- Reporting and providing evidence to the procurement team of savings and benefits delivered through effective vendor management.
- Knowledge and experience in conducting market research.
- Validated analytic skills (analysis of information, interpreting and communicating findings).
It would be great if you had:
- Working experience within the health sector and understanding of health contracts.
- CIPS Level 4, or working towards or willing to achieve it.
Employment Type: Full‑time Permanent
Location: Salford
Security Clearance Level: DBS
Salary: Up to £40,000 per annum
Benefits: 25 days annual leave with the option to buy additional days, health cash plan, life assurance, pension, and flexible benefits fund.
We support different ways of working and can offer a range of flexible working arrangements. If you’re interested and need to work flexibly, we encourage you to apply and discuss possibilities. We embrace difference as a source of creativity, innovation and competitive advantage. We welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds and identities. We are committed to equality of opportunity for all and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation or marital status. We participate in the Disability Confident scheme and offer an interview to any candidate with a disability who meets the minimum criteria for the role. We are committed to offering an interview to any candidate with a disability who meets the minimum criteria for the role. If you require adjustments to the recruitment process, please let us know during your application. We partner with Vercida, the UK’s largest diversity and inclusion focused careers site, where all vacancies are available in an accessible format.
Category Manager (Health) in Salford employer: Sopra Steria
Contact Detail:
Sopra Steria Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Manager (Health) in Salford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the healthcare procurement space on LinkedIn or at industry events. A friendly chat can open doors that a CV just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its recent projects. Show them you’re not just another candidate; you’re genuinely interested in shaping the future of the NHS!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! As a Category Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to negotiate contracts effectively. Role-play with a friend or use online resources to sharpen those skills.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Category Manager (Health) in Salford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Category Manager role. Highlight your experience in procurement and any relevant projects you've worked on, especially within the NHS or healthcare sector. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; share specific examples of how you’ve delivered savings or improved supplier relationships in previous roles. We love seeing quantifiable results that demonstrate your impact in procurement!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon where possible. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see your qualifications at a glance.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. This ensures that your application is received promptly and allows us to process it efficiently. Plus, it’s the best way to stay updated on your application status!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sopra Steria
✨Know Your Procurement Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of PCR 2015, EU/UK regulations, and the New Procurement Act 2023. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you're not just familiar with procurement processes but also understand the legal framework that governs them.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past roles in procurement or contract management, especially within the NHS or healthcare sector. Highlight how you've successfully handled tender activities or negotiated contracts to achieve cost savings, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Build Relationships
Since the role involves developing key supplier relationships, think about how you can demonstrate your relationship-building skills. Share instances where you've successfully collaborated with stakeholders or suppliers to achieve common goals, as this is crucial for the Category Manager position.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and decision-making abilities. Prepare by thinking through potential challenges you might face in the role and how you would approach them, particularly in managing a complex project portfolio.
